Held

Timid.

She stood in the shadows…

With tenderness he came and took her by the hand,

leading her to the flickering light in the distance…

Together they peered through the curtains to see Daddy, sitting in the stillness.

Slowly, he rocked back-and-forth in his chair.

Sensing their presence, he leaned over and called out, “Come here…come to me.”

Stretching his arms wide, he reached for them pulling them close…so close.

Looking into their tear-filled glassy eyes,

he gently said,

“You are mine…You both are mine.”